Appliance with leak detection
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsRichard Gary Woodham, Jr., Bryan James Beckley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Appliances configured to detect leaks and methods of detecting leaks are provided. The appliance includes a grounded chassis. The appliance also includes a first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and a second levelling leg electrically isolated from the chassis. The appliance also includes a controller in operative communication with the second levelling leg and the chassis. The controller is configured for, and related methods include, monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis and detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.
Claims18
An appliance, comprising:
- a chassis comprising an electrically conductive material, the chassis electrically coupled to a ground;
- a first levelling leg comprising an electrically conductive material, the first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and configured to support the appliance on a base surface;
- a second levelling leg comprising an electrically conductive material, the second levelling leg electrically isolated from the chassis by one or more electrically insulating spacers and configured to support the appliance on the base surface;
- and
- a controller in operative communication with the second levelling leg and the chassis, the controller configured for:
- monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis;
- and
- detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.
A method of detecting a leak from an appliance, the appliance comprising an electrically conductive chassis electrically coupled to a ground, a first levelling leg electrically coupled to the chassis and configured to support the appliance on a base surface, and a second levelling leg comprising an electrically conductive material, the second leveling leg electrically isolated from the chassis by one or more electrically insulating spacers and configured to support the appliance on the base surface, the method comprising:
- monitoring electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis;
- and
- detecting water on the base surface in response to electrical continuity between the second levelling leg and the chassis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.